Automobile license-number case.



VAN BUREN RATTERRBE & G. L. WATERSTON.

AUTOMOBILE LICENSE NUMBER CASE.

APPLICATION FILED M.A R.28. 1913.

Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

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a Romans UMTED STATES PATENT @FFTQE.

VAN BUREN BATTERREE AN'D CHARLES L. WATERSTON, OF NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

AUTOMOBILE LICENSE-N UMBER CASE.

To all whom it may concern I Be it known that we, VAN BUREN RAT-- whereby the number plate is conspicuously displayed and adapted to be maintained in a clean condition, the number plate ltself being hermetically sealed within the caslng and all possibility of dust, dirt, oil or other foreign matter obtaining access thereto beingprevented.

With the above and other objects in view,

. the invention consists in the construction,

combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevation of the license number case of this invention. same. Fig. 3 is a cross section through the same.

The license number case contemplated in this invention comprises essentially a base plate or back cover 1 which is preferably constructed of a fiat piece of sheet metal of any desired gage or thickness.

Resting against the front face of the base plate 1 is a front cover 2 of convex-faced molded glass, said moldedglass cover being recessed in its inner-side, as shown at 3, to admit the number plate 4 which is inserted therein from the back, and which is entirely covered in, inclosed and protected by the central portion 5 of the cover. The marginal edge portion of the cover 2 is preferably of considerable thickness as compared with the portion 3 of the cover, so as to form a marginal flange which bears against the base plate 1. The space remaining behind the number plate 4 is entirely filled out flush with the edge of the flange 6 of the cover by weather proof material, such as plaster Specification of Letters Patent.-

Fig. 2 is an edge view of the Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

Application filed March 28, 1913. Serial No. 757,417.

Paris, or other commercial cement, thereby effectually excluding moisture from the number plate 4.

Exteudin entirely around the cover plate and along t e margin of the base plate 1 is a retaining frame 7 secured to the base plate 1 by any number of fasteners 8, shown for convenience in the form of screws, although it will be apparent that any other form of fastening device may be employed. The rethe base plate 1, the molded glass cover is firmly clamped against the base plate, while the base plate backs up the weather-proof filling, indicated at l0,'and forms an adequate support therefor.

At suitable points, strap receiving holes 11 are formed through the base plate 1, and the retaining plate 7 so as to enable the device as a whole to be suspended from or otherwise fastened to the frame or other part of the automobile.

The cover is formed of heavy convexfaced molded glass which possesses the proper protective qualities, equivalent to or greater than the usual enameling. The number plate is fully inclosed and hermetically sealed within the casing and, therefore, the original magnitude, brightness and newness of appearance of the--numbers and figures or other data thereon is preserved indefinitely. The molded glass cover repels all dust, dirt, and mud, and in case of any such material adhering thereto, it maybe easily washed off, without the water or other cleaning material oominginto contact with the back or number plate.

Any desired finish may be given to the cover plate, as the interior of the marginal portion or flange of the,cove r plate may receive a coating of gold, nickel, aluminum, bronze, or the like. The degree of ornamental finish attained in this way will enable the device as a whole to harmonize with the automobile and its finish, and will meet with the approval of fastidious owners of motor cars, doing away with the unsightly appearance of the metallic license number tags now in common use.

By leaving the greater part of the convex faces of the cover glass exposed, refractive taining frame 7 is provided with a flange marginal portions are provided which niaterially increases the angle at which the characters may be read.

What is claimed is:

In an automobile license number and mounting, a substantially rectangular and in rear of and continuous with the first namedrecess, a number plate arranged in said shallow recess, a waterproof filling back of said number plate hermetically sealing in the number plate and filling said deeper recess, and a retaining frame extendin entirely around the container and embo ying flanges of concavo-convex shape in cross section and only partially embracing the convex margins of the container so as to leave part of said refractive surfaces exposed.

In testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

VAN B. RATTERREE. CHARLES L. WATERSTON.

Witnesses:

Tnos. N. REMY, ROY R. Rooms. 

